One of country music’s biggest nights returned to Las Vegas with plenty of camaraderie, emotional moments, and music to match. The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards took over the MGM Grand Garden Arena with standout appearances, and EBONY was in the room to catch every moment off-camera, from artists embracing between commercial breaks and dancing in the aisles to cheering each other on like family. Here are five moments from the show that made the night so memorable.
Queen Noveen Was the Voice of the Night
Image: Brian Friedman/Dick Clark Productions via Getty Images
Known as the “The voice of God” in the voice-over world, Emmy-nominated talent Queen Noveen fully lived up to her mantle. Setting the tone for the show with her booming opening: “Welcome to the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards live from Las Vegas,” Noveen’s third return to the ACMs proved to be a wise choice: one line from the actor transformed the MGM Grand from a bustling room of chatter and music into a dialed-in audience ready to celebrate the night’s biggest stars. Somehow, without ever being visibly seen, Noveen made her presence felt throughout the entire evening as its guiding voice.
At the I’m Just Me: A Charley Pride Celebration of Inclusion earlier in the weekend, Noveen had reflected on her previous ACM experiences, including meeting breakout star Jelly Roll and the impact it left on her. “Before I could even finish introducing myself he was pulling me in for a hug [laughs]. I felt so warm. We chatted about how he also did voice over for radio.”
Shaboozey’s Nelson Tribute Shines
Breakout country star Shaboozey arrived at the ACMs with two nominations for New Male Artist and Music Event of the Year. Walking the red carpet in an all-black leather look paired with a cowboy hat, the artist continued to showcase the genre-blending vibes that have made him one of country music’s fastest-rising stars.
Once inside, he joined ACM host Shania Twain in paying tribute to Willie Nelson, who recently turned 93 years old. Twain and Shaboozey asked the crowd to collectively wish the country legend a happy birthday, with Shaboozey filming a selfie video as the entire arena shouted in unison. The moment instantly turned into one of the night’s most electric scenes — a breakout country star teaming up with a true legend to honor a trailblazer who’s been pushing the genre forward for years. Audience members jumped to their feet clapping, hollering, and singing along, proving that every age is right for this music.
Kane Brown’s Electric Performance
Kane Brown brought a breezy and charismatic energy to the stage with a performance of his latest single, “Woman.” Joined by a group of backup dancers, Brown danced and sashayed through the crowd, tossing out smooth, effortless vocals that filled the arena without him even breaking a sweat. It was one of the night’s lighter, more playful breaks in a show packed with emotional ballads and heartfelt tributes. Cameras kept cutting to his wife, Katelyn Jae, drawing swoons every time. Fans couldn’t help connecting the performance back to their love story, which inspired the song and her cameo in the music video.
Presenting: The War and Treaty
While many fans felt The War and Treaty deserved at least a nomination for Duo of the Year, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter still made a strong impression as presenters throughout the evening. The husband-and-wife duo took the stage to present Music Event of the Year, which ultimately went to Riley Green and Ella Langley for “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
After Langley’s speech, the crowd watched all four artists hug and swap words of encouragement — a moment that clearly moved people around the room. That kind of genuine support kept popping up throughout the night, underscoring the communal spirit that really defines country music.
Earlier on the carpet, the duo spoke about their new album, The Story of Michael and Tanya. When asked what fans could expect, Michael shared, “I want everybody to hear it, dance to it… argue to it [laughs]. A couple nights ago we saw Lionel Richie and were able to thank him for his influence.”
Dancing in the Aisles
While the ACMs was entertaining whether you watched from home or your local sports bar, the true magic was inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena itself. Between nearly every commercial break, attendees flooded the aisles, dancing and singing along to some of country music’s biggest songs from the past year and beyond.
Kane Brown and Shaboozey could be seen embracing one another throughout the evening, while Shaboozey also spent time chatting with Brown’s wife between segments, highlighting warm camaraderie across the room. Several stars brought their families, making the atmosphere feel surprisingly intimate and family-oriented despite the scale of the production.
The Night’s Big Win
Ella Langley, who collaborated with BigXthaPlug for “Hell at Night” in 2025, emerged as the evening’s top honoree, taking home five awards, including Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas.” Between the wins, the MGM Grand was filled with loud singalongs and artists supporting one another from their seats throughout the night.